How to party safely on New Year's Eve

The center says the most vulnerable segment of the population are young women between the ages of 18 and 24.

According to Daniele Dreitzer, executive director of The Rape Crisis Center, there is a lot people can do to protect themselves and a role for everyone to play in ensuring the safety of their friends, as well as those they may not know. Here are a few tips to stay safe amid the festive atmosphere:

Arrive Together – Before You Go Out

Choose a friend or group of friends to go with.

Make a plan for where you’re going and who you’re meeting.

Decide how everyone will get home. Have a backup plan in case of emergency.

Choose a code word or signal to let each other know when something isn’t right.